Oakland police compliance director begins work today

March 11, 2013 9:47:35 AM PDT

OAKLAND, Calif. --

A man hired to help the Oakland Police Department implement court-ordered reforms is reporting for duty today.

Thomas Frazier is the department's new compliance director. He'll take on the task of reforming how police investigate themselves and document their work. The 68-year-old is a former Baltimore police commissioner who served on the San Jose police force. He'll have authority to spend city funds, oversee top commanders, and even oust Chief Howard Jordan and demote his deputies.